Former Laurel police officer indicted on rape charge

A former Laurel police officer allegedly raped and sexually extorted a victim at the police station and area commercial businesses, while she feared being sent to jail.

A former Laurel police officer allegedly raped and sexually extorted a victim at the police station and area commercial businesses, while she feared being sent to jail.

Delaware State Police detectives charged Kevin D. Hovatter, 32, of Laurel, with rape second degree and 10 counts of sexual extortion Feb. 23 at his place of employement. The arrest was the result of a joint investigation between the Delaware Department of Justice and the Laurel Police Department.

The investigation began as a result of an anonymous tip to the Delaware Department of Justice and Laurel Police Department. The investigation revealed that Hovatter was employed by the Laurel Police Department and on duty during the time of these incidences, which occured between June 2002 and December 2004.

While investigating a domestic incident between the victim, who was approximately 19 at the time, and her boyfriend, Hovatter took the two individuals back to the Laurel Police Department, said Bruce Harris of the state police. Hovatter is alleged to have touched the victim in an inappropriate manner in the processing room of the police station.

The victim also met Hovatter multiple times on Laurel area commercial business properties for fear of being arrested by Hovatter and sent to jail, Harris said.

Hovatter also was charged June 28, 2006, by state police for a incident that occurred in March 2006. Harris said Hovatter followed a vehicle outside the limits of Laurel and then performed a traffic stop.

The victim who was a passenger was ordered by Hovatter to exit the car and enter his patrol vehicle. Hovatter drove the 55-year-old victim to a rural area and allegedly committed an inappropriate act while on duty against the victim.

At the time, Hovatter was charged with two counts of rape first degree, coercion, official misconduct and unlawful sexual contact first degree. He pled guilty to unlawful sexual contact first degree and has been a Delaware registered sex offender since June 2007, Harris said.

Hovatter was arraigned Feb. 23 on the current crimes and remanded to Sussex Correctional Institute on a $40,000 secured bond.